PEL 101: The Tools for Adopting and Implementing a PEL Approach August 20, 2009.

PEL 101: The Tools for Adopting and Implementing a PEL Approach

August 20, 2009

Webcast Etiquette

• During the presentation please use the chat feature to submit a question

• The presentation will be available for download at the conclusion of the webinar

Training Objectives

Facilitate higher quality integrated transportation and environmental decisions by providing information on the tools and methods for :

• Considering environmental, community, and economic goals during the transportation planning process, and

• Carrying planning decisions and data into the project development and environmental review process.

Speakers

Mike CulpFHWA, Office of Project Development and

Environmental Review

John HumestonFHWA, Office of Planning

Agenda

Part 1: Overview of Planning and Environment Linkages

Part 2: Integrated Planning

Question & Answer Session

Part 3: Linking Planning and NEPA

Question & Answer Session

Part 1

An Introduction to Planning and

Environment Linkages (PEL)

What is PEL?

• An APPROACH to transportation decision-making

• A PROGRAM promoting tools and resources

• Supports FHWA/FTA Planning and NEPA Regulations

Elements of PEL

Project-level Decisions

Environmental Analysis Process

(NEPA )

Conservation & Resource Management Information

Transportation Plans Integrated Planning

Linking Planning & NEPA

System-level Planning

Required

Voluntary

Elements of PEL

Benefits of PEL

• Address complex environmental challenges early and avoid environmentally sensitive natural resources

• Design projects that meet mobility, environmental and community needs

• Minimize potential duplication of efforts and data within the planning and NEPA processes

Where we are based on feedback

From Transportation Agencies:

• Need more guidance• Lack of examples• Mitigation?• Flexibility is good• Not another planning

requirement• Need training

From Resource Agencies:

• Great opportunity• Don’t have the resources• Early input may affect ability

to make decisions later• Need training• How to be useful, provide

valuable input

Where we are based on the GAO

• In progress, too soon to tell• Several existing obstacles

• Limited funding and staff at resource agencies • Limited incentives to contribute• Unfamiliarity with the other’s processes

• Opportunities recognized• Improved project management• Weed out critical issues early• Agencies informed and involved early

GAO Report 08-512R

Part 2

Integrated Planning

A Systems Perspective

Integrated PlanningLand UseSystem

TransportationSystem

Water ResourcesSystem

Other Natural,Cultural Resource

Systems

Integrated Integrated ApproachApproach

Opportunities to support multiple community goals and improve quality of

life

Integrated Planning Requires a New Way of Doing Business

A focus on delivering transportation outputs

A focus on achieving multiple outcomes that are consistent with community and resource agency goals

An understanding of the effects of specific transportation modes

An understanding of the transportation system and how that system fits within broader human and natural systems

Separate planning based on who owns and operates infrastructure and services

Collaborative planning based on achieving sound system-wide outcomes

Planning transportation and land use separately

Planning transportation and land use concurrently and iteratively to achieve desired outcomes

Transportation planning often does not recognize environmental factors

Environmental affects and advanced mitigation are considered during transportation planning

From… To…

Regulatory Requirements

23 U.S.C. Parts 134 and 135 Require:• Resource agency consultation

• Potential Environmental Mitigation

Reflected in 2007 Planning Regulations 23 C.F.R. § 450

Consultation Requirements

Requires comparison of transportation plans with available

• State conservation plans or maps

• Inventories of natural or historic resources

• Consultation with Agency Experts STIP overlaid on map of

conservation opportunity areas

Environmental Mitigation Requirements

Environmental mitigation activities are “intended to be regional in scope, and may not necessarily address potential project-level impacts.” - 23 CFR 450.104

Environmental Mitigation Examples

Example: South Carolina DOT – Carolina Bays Ecosystem Initiative

Example: Mississippi DOT –Deaton Ecological Preserve

Tools & Methods for Integrating Transportation and Environmental Plans and

Data

Education and Training

Provides agencies with a common understanding of one another’s roles and responsibilities.

Example: FHWA’s Linking Conservation & Transportation Planning Workshops

Formalizing Interagency Coordination

Interagency Agreements can foster the early and continuous involvement of environmental, regulatory, and resource agencies in the planning process.

Sample Actions:• Establish interagency work groups or committees• Develop MOUs/MOAs

Interagency Coordination – An Example

Example: Transportation Resource Agency Consultation and Environmental Streamlining (TRACES)

Example:Colorado’s Planning and Environmental Linkages Partnering Agreement

Fund Resource Agency Positions

Use of Federal-aid and/or State funds to provide dedicated staffing at resource agencies

Funded Positions – An Example

California DOT Funded Position for Planning• One year pilot project to fund a USEPA liaison

position dedicated to transportation planning

• The early involvement of USEPA can facilitate the comprehensive integration of environmental factors into transportation planning.

Data and Information Sharing

• Basis for early consideration of the effects of alternative transportation solutions on environmental, community, and cultural resources

• Resource agency outputs relevant to transportation planning include:

State Wildlife Action Plans

Watershed Management Plans

Historic Resource Inventories

Data and Information Sharing Example

North Carolina’s Conservation Planning Tool

Analysis and Decision Support Tools

Examples:• Leverage existing software tools,

i.e. GIS• CommunityViz • NatureServe Vista• CorPlan• MetroQuest• PLACE3S• Paint the Town

Scenario visualizationMetroquest

Software or web-based systems designed to improve effectiveness of decision-making

** FHWA does not specifically endorse any of the tools listed

Analysis Support Tools – An Example

Pikes Peak and Pueblo Councils of Government

Outcomes: Analysis incorporated as appendix to Long Range Transportation Plan

Joint Scenario Planning

• Framework for developing a shared vision for the future

• Tool to analyze various forces that affect growth: o Transportationo Land useo The economy

Joint Scenario Planning – An Example

Sacramento Blueprint

QUESTIONS?

Part 3

Linking Planning

and NEPA

Unifying Planning and NEPA Decision-Making

Regulatory Authority and Guidance

• 23 CFR 450.212 and 450.318 - Transportation planning studies and project development

• 23 CFR 450 Appendix A• 23 CFR 771.111 (a)(2) - Early

coordination, public involvement, and project development

• 40 CFR 1501.2 - Apply NEPA early in the process

• Environment and Planning Linkage Processes Legal Guidance

Litigation Risk

Planning activities not considered a Federal action subject to review under NEPA

[see 23 CFR 450.222 and 450.336]

How Can Planning Products be used in NEPA?

Transportation Planning

Transportation Deficiencies & Needs

Problem Statement

Solutions Evaluation & Screening

Preferred Solutions

Documentation

NEPA Decision Making

Project Scoping

Purpose & Need

Alternatives

Preferred Alternative

Documentation

Using Planning Products in the Purpose and Need

Transportation Planning

Transportation Deficiencies & Needs

Problem Statement

Solutions Evaluation & Screening

Preferred Solutions

Documentation

NEPA Decision Making

Project Scoping

Purpose & Need

Alternatives

Preferred Alternative

Documentation

Using Planning Products in the Development of Alternatives

Transportation Planning

Transportation Deficiencies & Needs

Problem Statement

Solutions Evaluation & Screening

Preferred Solutions

Documentation

NEPA Decision Making

Project Scoping

Purpose & Need

Alternatives

Preferred Alternative

Documentation

Using Planning Products to Develop the Preferred Alternative

Transportation Planning

Transportation Deficiencies & Needs

Problem Statement

Solutions Evaluation & Screening

Preferred Solutions

Documentation

NEPA Decision Making

Project Scoping

Purpose & Need

Alternatives

Preferred Alternative

Documentation

Documentation

Transportation Planning

Transportation Deficiencies & Needs

Problem Statement

Solutions Evaluation & Screening

Preferred Solutions

NEPA Decision Making

Project Scoping

Purpose & Need

Alternatives

Preferred Alternative

Documentation Documentation

Documenting Planning-Level Information for NEPA

There are three potential levels of documentation:

• Identification of issues or concerns that will need to be studied during NEPA

• Passing data or analyses from planning to NEPA

• Accepting planning decisions in NEPA

Tools & Methods for Linking Planning and NEPA

Checklists and Manuals

Example: Colorado’s PEL Questionnaire • Provides guidance to planning staff on the level of

detail needed• Provides the NEPA project staff with documentation

on the outcomes of the planning process

Available at: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/case_colorado2_quest.asp

Checklists and Manuals

Example: Idaho’s Corridor Planning & NEPA Integration Guide• Guidance on transition

from corridor planning to NEPA

• Step-by-step process explanations

Process Changes

Example: Libby Montana Corridor Study • Used Appendix A as a

guide for corridor study • Conducted preliminary

alternatives analysis and develop the P&N

• Shift from EIS to CE on Hwy 567

Cross-training Staff

Example: Oregon DOT

• “Planning for Nonplanners” for ODOT project delivery staff

• NEPA training for planning staff

Agency Reorganization

Example: Maine DOTCreated an Environmental Coordination and Analysis unit within the Bureau of Planning

• Moved responsibility for EIS and EA preparation from Project Development and Design into Planning

• When a project leaves the Planning Bureau, it has a ROD, FONSI or CE and is ready for design.

QUESTIONS?

Summary

Evaluation

To help us improve the webcast training please download and complete a brief evaluation

Thank you!

Information Resources

Additional Resources:• PEL Website: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/integ/index.asp • AASHTO Integrated Transportation Planning and NEPA Decision-

making Webcast: http://environment.transportation.org/center/products_programs/integrating_webcast.aspx

Contacts:

Mike CulpFHWA - Office of Project Development and Environmental Review [email protected]

John HumestonFHWA – Office of [email protected] 404-562-3667